Arrival
Arrival
Day 1
Arrival Kilimanjaro International Airport - Hotel Moshi
Arrival Kilimanjaro International Airport - Hotel Moshi
On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will meet and greet our representative who will drive you to your booked hotel in Moshi. There you will receive a briefing, orientation, and equipment check, followed by dinner and your overnight stay.
- Main Destination:
- Moshi (Town)
- Accommodation:
- Parkview Inn
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Hotel - Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Hotel - Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Elevation: 5,380 ft to 9,350 ft
Distance: 11 km (7 miles)
Hiking time: 5 to 7 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
The drive from Moshi to the Machame Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. As we leave the park gate, we walk through the dense rainforest on a winding trail up a ridge until we reach the Machame Camp.
- Main Destination:
- Machame Gate (Mt Kilimanjaro)
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Machame Camp - Shira 2 Camp
Machame Camp - Shira 2 Camp
Elevation: 9,350 ft to 12,500 ft
Distance: 5 km (3 miles)
Hiking time: 4 to 6 hours
Habitat: Heath
We leave the glades of the rainforest and continue on an ascending path up to a steep, rocky ridge. On the Shira Plateau, we pass through heather and open moorlands, then cross a large river gorge to Shira 2 Camp.
- Main Destination:
- Mount Kilimanjaro
- Accommodation:
-
Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Shira 2 Camp - Barranco Camp
Shira 2 Camp - Barranco Camp
Elevation: 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft
Distance: 7 km (4 miles)
Hiking Time: 4 to 5 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft
Distance: 3 km (2 miles)
Hiking time: 2 to 3 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
We continue to the east up a ridge and then head southeast toward the Lava Tower – a 300-ft tall volcanic rock formation. We descend to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest, to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at a higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization.
- Main Destination:
- Mount Kilimanjaro
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Barranco Camp - Karanga Camp
Barranco Camp - Karanga Camp
Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
Distance: 5 km (3 miles)
Hiking time: 4 to 5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we climb the non-technical, but steep, nearly 900-ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall, we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.
- Main Destination:
- Mount Kilimanjaro
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Karanga Camp - Barafu Camp
Karanga Camp - Barafu Camp
Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
Distance: 4 km (2 miles)
Hiking time: 4 to 5 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
We leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here, we make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.
Day 7
Barafu Camp - Uhuru Peak - Mweka Camp
Barafu Camp - Uhuru Peak - Mweka Camp
Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft
Distance: 5 km (3 miles)
Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours
Habitat: Arctic
Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft
Distance: 12 km (7 miles)
Hiking time: 4 to 6 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak - the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite, stopping at Barafu for breakfast/lunch before descending down to Mweka Camp for dinner and overnight.
- Main Destination:
- Uhuru Peak (Mt Kilimanjaro)
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 8
Mweka Camp - Mweka Gate
Mweka Camp - Mweka Gate
Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
Distance: 10 km (6 miles)
Hiking time: 3 to 4 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.
- Main Destination:
- Mount Kilimanjaro
- Accommodation:
- Parkview Inn
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 9
Hotel - Kilimanjaro International Airport
Hotel - Kilimanjaro International Airport
After breakfast at 11h00 (or earlier), we check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport. If you have a late flight, you can leave your bags at the reception after checkout until it is time to leave for your flight.
- Main Destination:
- Kilimanjaro Airport
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
